Queen's Park

CHAPTER 14

“How come you’re not coming downstairs?” Beth sat a plate of spaghetti on the night table in her mother’s bedroom.

Nanny sat in the high-backed oak chair by the window. “See that car there?” She pointed past the T intersection to the road leading to Ernesto’s house. She handed binoculars to Beth.

Beth took them and said, “Which one?”

“The grey one.”

Beth studied the binoculars. “Weren’t these Dad’s?”

“Brought ‘em back from the war.”

Beth lifted the glasses to her eyes. Two men sat side by side in the front seat of a Ford. “Who are they?”

“Marv and Lester. Bob’s friends.” She spat the names out like they were clots of phlegm.

“How do you know it’s them?” Beth said.

“They’re the ones who came to the door the other day. They dropped off the letter to scare me off. Saw ‘em drive up yesterday and earlier today.” Nanny’s hand was a river system of veins caressing the back of Beth’s blouse. “Didn’t think they’d give up. They don’t think I’m serious. I knew they’d be back after the dirty letter.”

“What do you mean about them not taking you seriously?” “I told them I’d protect my own.”

“We’d better call the police.”

“Then what?” Nanny said.

“What do you mean?”

“What are the police gonna do?”

“Chase them off.” Beth felt a familiar tightness in the muscles around her ribs. Life was spinning out of control again and she was the same terrified kid whose sister ran away just before her Mother fell apart.

“Those two’ll just find another way to do what they’re gonna do. They did before. Remember?”

“What do you want me to do then?” Beth sat on the edge of the mattress.

“Nothin’.”

Beth opened her mouth and stopped, then changed the subject, “It’s your birthday tomorrow. We should go out for dinner. Somewhere nice.”

“Ernie comin’?”

“I’ll ask him.” Beth sensed something disheartening in her mother’s behaviour. “Let’s go somewhere nice.”

“Sonny’s.”

“But.”

“Got a two for one coupon.” Nanny picked up her purse.

“How about trying another restaurant?”

“I like chicken.” Nanny opened the purse and pulled out a coupon.

“Lots of other places have chicken.”

“It’s my birthday.” She put the coupon back.

“But… ” Beth knew she was losing but once she’d stopped swimming with the current it was hard to quit. She realized she liked being a fighter and thought, with a shudder, I’m becoming my mother.

“Wanna cup of tea?”

“Sure,” Beth said.

“Me too.” The old woman lifted the binoculars. “I warned those two and they didn’t listen.”

“I still think we should call the police.” Beth thought about going downstairs and dialing 911.

“Nope.”

“Remember what those two did last time?”

“I’ll never forget,” Nanny said.

“They spread those rumours around town till Dad had to sell the business and school, it was hell.”

“Things are different, now.” Nanny looked at her daughter. “How?”

“I’m not afraid of them anymore.”